National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun said Friday he will hold talks with political party representatives about the controversial hearings bill that was vetoed by the president late last month.
"We need to review the legal issues involved, and hold discussions with political parties," Chung said.
Last month, the presidential office sent back a bill which, if made into law, would allow parliament to hold hearings on government policies more frequently. The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae and the government maintains that such a law will immobilize state affairs while fueling national discord since many hearings degenerate into political mud-slinging affairs.
Although the rejected bill passed by the previous parliament can be discussed again at the parliament, the country's legislation ministry claims that the rejected bill cannot be carried over into the new National Assembly.
Chung then said lawmakers should focus on people's livelihood and cooperate with the government on issues directly impacting ordinary people.
Rep. Chung was voted in as the speaker for the first half of the 20th National Assembly at the plenary session of parliament on Thursday. Chung from the Minjoo Party of Korea is obligated to sever party ties during his two-year term. (Yonhap)
